Acoustic Arabia

Putumayo Presents | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 2, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B001BTWF0W
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,476 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General
  • #30 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General AAS
  • #94 in Music > World Music > Africa > General AAS

Track Listings

1. Gamar Badawi - RRS

2. Alger, Alger - Les Orientales

3. Azara Alhai - Rasha

4. Mada - Charbel Rouhana and Hani Siblini

5. Tiris Mibreeha - Tiris

6. Ghir Enta - Souad Massi

7. Batalti Eli - Zaman

8. Les Larmes de Boabdil - Mousta Largo

9. Tu n'aurais jamais du - Maurice El Medioni

10. Wijjak Ma'ii - Zein Al-Jundi

Editorial Reviews

On previous collections, Putumayo has explored upbeat Arabic pop and dance music (Arabic Groove and North African Groove) and laid-back Arabic electronica (Sahara Lounge). With Acoustic Arabia, Putumayo turns its attention to the more organic, traditional styles that are the foundation of these musical genres. With their stripped-down arrangements and softer, more introspective quality, the songs on Acoustic Arabia highlight the fundamental beauty of the music of the Middle East and North Africa. This collection features an intriguing roster of artists, including several international stars and exciting new discoveries. Each musician has a fascinating life story that brings added depth to their music. One of the best-known featured artists is Algerian singer-songwriter Souad Massi, whose contemplative songs address social and political issues and were banned by the conservative government. Maurice El Medioni, a world-renowned Jewish piano legend from Oran, Algeria first began performing alongside Arab musicians during the golden age of the Algerian music halls of the 1940s and 50s, and is still tickling the ivories as an octogenarian. The band Tiris hails from Western Sahara and is made up of refugees who have been part of the struggle to reclaim their homeland from Morocco which now controls the region. The gentle emotion and entrancing melodies of the songs featured on Acoustic Arabia will help listeners deepen their appreciation for the rich music of this part of the world. A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to the Sa¿d Foundation in support of its efforts to bring positive and lasting change to the lives of children and young people in the Middle East.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw, Passionate Arabian Soul, September 4, 2008

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Acoustic Arabia (Audio CD)

Following up on earlier Putumayo compilations like 'From Cairo to Casablanca,' 'Arabic Groove' and 'Sahara Lounge,' this release focuses on a very different side of Arabic music - the acoustic sounds of the Middle East and North Africa. The CD presents a very nice slice of raw, Arabic music from a variety of contemporary artists, from Lebanon to Morocco. Selections on this wonderful collection range the full gamut from the Sahraoui sounds of Tiris on 'Tiirs Nibreeha' to the Latin piano fusion of Maurice el Medioni on 'Tu n'Aurais Jamais Du.' Naturally, there are a couple of picks from 'oud players (Mousta Largo and Charbel Rouhana). After all, the 'oud is the king of all Arabic instruments, and even those tracks which feature guitar have similar melodies. There is also a track from Zaman's forthcoming debut 'Safar,' providing a good sample of what they sound like. But the real highlights come from some of the women featured on this CD! Algeria's Souad Massi contributes the Andalusian-tinged track 'Ghir Enta,' one of my favorites from her repetoire. Sudanese-born singer Rasha also makes an appearance, as does the Algerian trio Les Orientales. And the CD ends with a bang with 'Wijjak Ma'ii,' a song from Syrian diva Zein al-Jundi's forthcoming second album!

Over all, this is an excellent collection of Arabic music, transcending borders and traditions to present some beautiful acoustic music. While it features some familiar faces here (Maurice el Medioni, Souad Massi, Rasha) it also includes some newer names you may not be so familiar with (Jamal Porto, Zaman, Mousta Largo, Charbel Aouhana & Hani Siblini). Neither entirely traditional nor entirely 'modern,' this is great buy for anyone interested in the music of the Middle East. It is also great for getting a sort of sneak peek at upcoming releases from Zaman, Zein al-Jundi and the like. If you are a fan of hers (like myself) I strongly recommend you buy this album. And if this is your first exposure to the music of the Arabic speaking world, then by all means go out and get some of the albums of artists featured here, like Rasha's 'Sudaniyat,' Souad Massi's 'Deb,' Maurice el Medioni's 'Descargas Oriental,' or Zein al-Jundi's debut 'Traditional Songs of Syria.' Enjoy by all means.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Ground: Music for Modern Times, September 8, 2008

By 

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Acoustic Arabia (Audio CD)

Because I love traditional musics of the world and lament overly produced, electronically processed Euro Pop style in world music [with some exceptions], I regard Putumayo's latest collection as the new middle way, the great hope for a different international musical style. The music is simply wonderful. Richly melodic with strong but not overbearing rhythms, the underlying traditional root music is now fully blossomed with modern instrumentation and arrangements. Particular favorites are the oud track of Charbel Rouhana & Hani Siblini, the Sudanese song of Jamal Porto, and the Palestinian Arab group Zaman's flamenco exploration. With such examples from Syria and Lebanon across North Africa to the Atlantic coast, with Latin flavors of Spain and Cuba, this readily accessible music can be well received in both concert halls and intimate clubs in Sacramento, California, as well as Damascus, Syria. The Acoustic Arabia collection is relaxed, contemplative, and intimate compared to the danceable but less interesting collecton of Putumayo's North African Groove. I welcome this addition to the Putumayo catalog. It is yet another major contribution to our appreciation and understanding of other musics, other cultures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sonic Oasis, September 18, 2008

By 

Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Acoustic Arabia (Audio CD)

"Acoustic Arabia" is a softer take on typically techno Middle Eastern music. While people are familiar with the electronica/New Age of Sting collaborating with the Algerian Cheb Mami in Desert Rose / Brand New Day or Natacha Atlas with Trans-global Underground (Best of) "Acoustic Arabia" is an upgraded version of Putumayo's earlier Cairo to Casablanca. "Cairo to Casablanca" had the major weakness of sounding repetitive. This compilation spans jazz, as well as French and Afro-Cuban styles. Like "Cairo to Casablanca",this compilation has the Sudanese diva Rasha as well as Algerian jazz master Maurice El Medouni, but has better songs from them.

"Acoustic Arabia" opens with Jamal Porto's moving "Gamar Badawi." Les Orientales sounds almost Parisian in its invocation of Algiers. Rasha from Sudan sings a sensual song of longing. Charbel Rouhana and Hani Sibilin contribute the instrumental "Mada." Tiris was the result of an American Idol-like competition in Western Sahara. Souad Massi evokes flamenco in "Ghir Enta." Zaman, a group composed of Palestinian Arabs, has been compared to the Gypsy Kings. Mousta Largo sings of the last Arabic King of Granada weeping when Ferdinand and Isabella defeated him in 1491. This songs unites the troubled histories of Europe and the Middle East. Maurice El Medouni brings together Cuban jazz with Algerian sensibilities. Zein Al-Jundi's final song is the passionate "Wijjak Ma'ii."

"Acoustic Arabia" is one of Putumayo's best Middle Eastern compilations, along with ARABIC GROOVE,Israel and SAHARA LOUNGE. They've usually focused on the electric, chilled-out or groovy side of the Middle East. This time, they focus on the earthier, softer side. It evokes not so much the wildness of belly dancing at some casbah, but sitting down to a comforting mint tea in an oasis.